One of the best things about Healthy Options is that the management hosts a carousel of events throughout the year where employees and their family can have their share of fun. For Chinese New Year 2016, we were all invited to the “Children’s Party” at KidZania in Bonifacio Global City. We were allowed to play together with kids at the Activity Center since it was a private event for our company. 🙂
What is KidZania?
KidZania is like a giant playground of real life. It offers several ways for children to grow and develop their skills including their social, emotional, and physical abilities. It also encourages children to use their imagination and work with the end goal of earning KidZos, the official currency being used in KidZania, with every job they perform. Through role-playing, they get to understand the world of grown-ups better, as they pretend to be grown-ups themselves.
Our “KidZania Manila” Experience
We checked in at the KidZania International Airport counter where we were issued our boarding passes, the KidZania City map, and a check that’s worth 50 Kidzos. The KidZania “Cebu Pacific” staff also made us wear security bracelets which I guess are used to track the places where we would work. In normal occasions, the adult’s bracelet is linked up to the kid’s bracelet.
After signing up on the registration sheet as required by the “Events team” in our company, we were good to go. I felt like a kid once again upon entering the KidZania City proper. Everything looked beautiful, close to real, and almost magical. 🙂
We met with our colleagues shortly and had delicious snacks prepared by Cafe Via Mare in a buffet setting.
Our first stop was the bank. We visited BPI KidZania to have our checks be encashed to KidZos, so we could have some money to start with.
At KidZania Manila, every center has an activity guide posted outside with the following information:
- description of the activity or job to fulfill
- amount of KidZos that can be earned from accomplishing the job
- amount of KidZos to be paid in exchange of goods or experiences
- estimate duration of the job
- capacity or number of people that can enter/work at the same time
- ages that are allowed to participate in the activity
To have an overall appreciation of the careers and trainings available, we walked through the entire place and explored all centers in KidZania. We observed that kids were having fun doing the mundane and boring things adults do in their daily work routine to contribute to the society. It was funny and cool that the act of fire-fighting, working in a supermarket, tax collecting, cleaning, etc. all seemed fun for the little ones! 🙂
At KidZania, people say “kai” to mean “hello” and “zank you” to mean “thank you.” We greeted all establishments where we worked and thanked everyone cheerfully for the lessons and experiences.
The tasks required were pretty simple and straightforward but innovative. Most of those we experienced lasted from 15 to 25 minutes. In each center, the staff held a briefing and told us what to do in a friendly manner. I liked that they used words couched in terms that are easy for kids to understand. Some even asked if we preferred English or Filipino as the medium of instruction and communication.
I thought three to four hours of stay in KidZania may be just right to supplement a child’s education. We ended up earning over 120 KidZos after working in about six centers.
Pharmacist at Mercury DrugFood Assembly Crew at McDonald's
Tax Collectors at KidZania Tax Office
Firefighters at the Fire Department
Radio DJ Host at ABS-CBN DZMM Radyo Patrol 630
Gasoline Station Attendant at Shell
Nursing Newborns at St. Luke's Medical Center
We felt proud and happy to find two centers of Healthy Options in KidZania Manila. One is where kids can become the ultimate green grocer or the cashier who mans the cash register and checks out items at Healthy Options Supermarket. Here, they will be trained on how to use the payment terminal with a kid-friendly interface. 🙂 Other activities include scanning items, bagging items, and printing receipts of buyers. The other Healthy Options joint is where KidZania guests can purchase products from the store. Yes, it’s a real store inside KidZania!
Healthy Options Supermarket (for role-playing)Healthy Options (actual store)
Right before we left, we went to KidZania Department Store to purchase girly hair clips in exchange of our hard-earned KidZos. 😛 By the way, guests may save their KidZos and spend the money on their next visit at KidZania.
I’m only at my fifth month now with Healthy Options, and I can clearly see how this company values every member instead of treating each one like “just another worker.” The management takes good care of the employees, and employees feel important and well appreciated by leaders.
Everyone went home with a smile stretching from ear to ear on their face that night, and some even with prizes from the “Star Wars” costume contest. Thanks, RSS, for this wonderful opportunity! 🙂 It’s been a fun and meaningful celebration indeed! Every angel will cherish this memory for a long time.
with Romy S. Sia, Healthy Options MD, and Angel
KidZania Manila Ticket Prices
| Visitor Type | Ticket Description | Mondays-Thursdays | Fridays – Sundays and National Holidays |
| Children (4-14 years old) | Full price | Php 900.00 | Php 1,100.00 |
| Toddlers (1-3 years old) | 45% off from full price | Php 500.00 | Php 600.00 |
| Babies below 1 year old | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Guardians (15 years old and above) | 30% off from full price | Php 630.00 | Php 770.00 |
For more information about KidZania Manila, visit www.manila.kidzania.com, “Like” KidZania Manila on Facebook, or follow KidZania Manila on Twitter @KidZaniaManila and Instagram (KIDZANIAMANILA).
Operating Hours:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 9AM – 4PM
- Fridays to Sundays and National Holidays: 9AM – 2PM, 3PM – 8PM
Admission and Role-play Guidelines:
- Kids below 8 years old must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.
- Guardians may only enter the play city when they accompany a child or children.
- Role-play activities are for kids from 4 to 14 years old.
- Some role-play activities such as Climbing Building, Fitness Lab, and Stadium require athletic shoes and specific attire.
- Kids below 4 are considered toddlers and may only play in toddler designated areas.
- KidZania Manila may require from its Visitors proof of age before they are allowed entry. This includes any valid ID, including a government-issued ID, school ID and NSO-certified birth certificate.
- KidZania Manila may refuse entry of visitors who misrepresent their age.
- KidZania Manila disclaims any liability from any injury to Visitors who have misrepresented their age in connection with a particular activity.
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